"He informed us that was his decision. So we're to continue to move forward with the quarterbacks we have."

Gruden acknowledged Ware didn't get much of a shot to make the team.

"He was in a tough situation," Gruden said. "He wasn't getting very many opportunities to show what he could do. It was unfortunate. He got hurt in the World League and didn't really get a chance."

Ware only played in five games for the Berlin Thunder before breaking his collarbone. When he reported here, he was one of five quarterbacks competing for a job. And Gruden immediately said that was too many to give everyone an equal look.

Ware wound up spending most of his time either watching the other quarterbacks participate in drills or off on another field taking meaningless snaps as the offensive and defensive lines slammed into each other.

"We liked some of the things that Scott Dreisbach was doing," Gruden said, "and we decided to commit ourselves for a while to Pat Barnes and see what happens. He (Ware) didn't get enough turns."

EXHIBITION OPENER: The Raiders open the exhibition season in St. Louis Saturday night. The decision to keep Eric Allen on the bench is just precautionary, Gruden said. The cornerback, returning from last year's season-ending knee injury, is healthy, the coach said.

New starting quarterback Rich Gannon will play the first quarter, then get the rest of the game off. Backup Wade Wilson is healthy and wants to play, but won't. Gruden wants to get an extensive look at Barnes.